Many notable changes have been made to the race to accommodate walkers. The time limit has been extended to four and a half hours for the 13.1-mile race. On top of the usual rewards for runners, there will be prizes for walkers who finish at the top of their age group. Pace keepers will also be present during the race for people who want to make sure they finish the race in three or four hours.

As much fun as this sounds, walking a half marathon is no simple task. That is why Michele Stanten, author of "Walk off Weight" and creator of mywalkingcoach.com, designed multiple training programs for people who want to walk the half marathon. Stanton is an American Council of Exercise (ACE)-certified fitness instructor who trained thousands of walkers when she ran Prevention magazine's marathon walking programs. Prevention is published by Emmaus-based Rodale. Her training program is available on the race's website.

Michele Stanten, author of "Walk off Weight" and creator of mywalkingcoach.com.Photo courtesy of Michele Stanten

Stanten says anyone on any level can walk a half marathon with the proper training. She created a 16-week program, a 22-week program, and more so people can pick a program that fits their lifestyle.

Gwen Hoover, who follows Stanten's "Regular Walker" program, praises her for creating a program that "takes into account how busy people's lives are."

Stanten says people should first focus on distance and later work on their timing. Walkers have to get used to being on their feet for three to four hours. Once they get adjusted to the length, walkers can then work on their speed.

"I am sure I could walk 13 miles tomorrow, but the trick is being able to complete it in the 4 and a half hour time," says Hoover. She explains that Stanten's program emphasizes smaller, faster steps to improve speed.

Training to walk a half marathon does not have to break your bank with expensive gear. "I love that I can walk out my door in the morning with no more equipment than a good pair of walking shoes," says Hoover.

Stanten says, "Once you begin walking distances, there is no limit to how far you can go." She recalls a friend who walked across the country. "All you need is the right training."

When it comes to training, walkers can face different challenges than runners. Walkers face dehydration from spending long amounts of time in the sun. Hoover says, "The trick is having water, if you are going to be outside in the heat for more than 30 minutes."

Hoover also encourages walkers to get fitted walking shoes and compression shorts. "Proper technique helps reduce fatigue and sore muscles, and I like to stop and stretch every few miles just for a minute or two," Hoover says.

"If nothing else, it's a good way to get yourself exercising," Stanten says of the walking regimen. She also encourages cross-training in areas such as yoga or Zumba.

Stanten says 200 to 300 walkers are expected to attend the event and she encourages everyone who has an interest to participate.

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Get moving:

When and where: The race starts at 8 a.m. Nov. 2 in Northampton.

Cost: In July and August it is $65 to register. It rises to $75 in September.